1950s

The 1950s brought many advances – the color TV, the polio vaccine, seat belts and NASA – as well as unrest, including the Korean War and the fight for Civil Rights. In Portage, Wisconsin, upon the urging of the community and state health officials, St. Savior (who would become Divine Savior Hospital and Nursing Home in 1954) embarked upon an expansion on a scale that had not been seen before in the community. The $1 million renovation allowed for more rooms, and modern updates to surgery, recovery and X-ray among other services.

Sister Malia Kao, SDS, (second from left) came to St. Savior Hospital in 1952 to fill in for another Sister for eight days. She enjoyed it and remained for nine years, working in the lab and eventually becoming a certified medical lab technician.

It's the Sisters of Divine Savior who are responsible for the many details in the operation of the hospital. Sisters who are at home at Divine Savior are (left to right, front): Sisters Loretta, Concordia, Melia, Alphonsa, Segolena, and Milrada. Second row: Theonilla, Burkharda, Pancratius, Matorna, Helene and Camillia. Third row, Marie, Alabana, Anne, Elsa and Odelia.